Paul Rogosheske, the lawyer of state Sen. Dan Schoen, DFL-St. Paul Park, announces Schoen’s resignation and answers questions at a news conference in his law office in South St. Paul on Wednesday, Nov. 22, 2017. (Jean Pieri / Pioneer Press)

Two Minnesota lawmakers are resigning amid allegations of sexual harassment, and on Wednesday, Gov. Mark Dayton said it shouldn’t take long to replace them.

Speaking to reporters Wednesday, Dayton, who had called for both men to resign when allegations broke earlier this month, said the two are “doing the right thing” by stepping down.

The exact date of the special elections — elections by voters in the two districts to fill the new vacancies — hasn’t been set. But Dayton said that he’ll make sure they’re in time to seat the winners before the Legislature reconvenes Feb. 20, as is required by law.

He said the resignations are “important first steps” toward changing the culture that has come under harsh criticism from many for allowing men in power to wield sexuality as a force against women. Dayton has called for a task force to examine the executive branch of state government, which includes some 34,000 state employees ultimately under the governor’s charge.

Leaders in the Legislature say they’re reviewing their policies and procedures and will increase sexual harassment training and bolster ways for women to report misconduct, including behavior that affects non-employees, such as lobbyists and constituents.

Paul Rogosheske, the lawyer of state Sen. Dan Schoen, DFL-St. Paul Park, announces Schoen’s resignation at a news conference in his law office in South St. Paul on Wednesday, Nov. 22, 2017. Rogosheske passed out information packets and talked about the sexual harassment allegations against Schoen. (Jean Pieri / Pioneer Press)

Dave Orrick reports on state government and politics from the Pioneer Press' Capitol Bureau. When the occasion demands, he's been known to cover topics ranging from hunting to golf. He lives in St. Paul with his wife and son.

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